Product Details

Any surfboard with Rob Machado's stamp on it is going to be a little bit special, if a little quirky! Never one to shy away from a little extra foam, Rob's designs are designed to put a huge grin on your face and have that magic ingredient of versatility and the ability to thrive in anything from small to overhead, hollow waves.

We were super-excited to hear of Rob's new collaborations with Firewire and it looks like we're not going to be disappointed. Rob has a knack of designing and shaping (he's one of the few top-tier surfers actually designing and shaping!) really usable surfboards that work for the average guy or girl in the waves most of us surf.

With one of the smoothest styles in the water Rob can execute the most radical of hacks or punts and still look completely relaxed....it's no surprise that Firewire jumped at the chance to work with Mr Machado.

Commissioned in the beautiful and eco friendly Timbertek construction the Almond Butter holds a classic shortboard shape with limited rocker and a versatile five fin setup. Bung in a set of quad fins on the smaller days for some extra 'squirt' and grab a little more control with a thruster set for the bigger days.

Firewire's Timbertek construction surfboards combine a lightweight EPS core with sustainably-grown wood deck skins, along with Firewire's proven parabolic rail construction giving them an addictive 'pop' and return. Finished with a hot coat of Entropy bio-resin, creating an extremely lightweight and durable surfboard with ALL of the high performance flex traits of Firewire's existing technologies. No surprises that Rob would opt for Timbertek on his new models, with it's significant reduction in exterior lamination which massively reduces the boards carbon footprint.

Boardshop is very proud to be a premium stockist and key partner for Firewire surfboards throughout Europe and across the globe. Boardshop brings you the very latest Firewire models as soon as they land in the UK and aims to give you the very best information and feedback based on our own experiences and that of our loyal customers across the globe. We carry the largest selection of Firewire surfboards anywhere in Europe, if we don't have it...we can probably get it within a couple of hours!

Boardshop runs a very efficient ’trade- in’ program, a painless way for you to offset your old or unwanted surfboard against a brand new stick. If you have any questions about this or anything else surfing related drop us an email to info@boardshop.co.uk or ring on 0044 (0) 1243 674250 we love to talk surfing!

Board shop were brilliant messed up big time with the first board I chose. But board shop arranged for it to be swapped and sent me out the almond butter which Is a stunning board couldn't be happier with the service and will use them again for sure.

I got the 6ft4 version after having a 6ft2 creeper which was a little under volumes for me. This version is a beast coming in at 45 litres. However one thing I have been really impressed with regarding firewire is their ability to get the rails and concave to just work. Had a few surfs now on this board and it paddles really well into waves that would otherwise would have passed me by. The extra thickness in the tail define tell helps in British waves to get you in and going. Board is really responsive even in this version. Timbertek is a solid construction but lightweight as well however it sits well between not being too corky and not being too heavy. I'm just under 18 stone and find this board to have loads of float possibly even a tad too much but it depends what your looking for. When the surf was smaller it felt like there was a little too much board at time and I should of had my BP. I think firewire boards are great for our waves much more so than other brands. Boardshop are great to deal with and trading in is brilliant. I definetely rate them and know quite a few people who deal with them who like their service to. If your looking for a really good all round board then the almond butter is a definete contender.

Thanks again for all of your help - seriously useful and, without a doubt, you have been (easily) the most informative and responsive of all people I've dealt with whilst seeking out my new board. That is what sets great businesses apart from the rest; it's a fantastically enjoyable experience as a customer.

First time I have ever had a FireWire board after surfing for just under 35yrs and always had quad set up just love the skater feel with them as for the board well I think I've found my perfect board after all these years. Just love the shape and timbertek look and it's so easy to turn and paddle with.

I always think a retailer differentiates itself as being somewhere you keep going back to, according to how they respond when something goes wrong. There was a very slight issue with the board that I missed on the delivery inspection. When I spotted it my heart sank as retailers in the past have have quoted the terms and conditions, and told me to basically get stuffed. But when I flagged it to the guys at Boardshop they jumped at the chance to do all they could to resolve. No defensiveness, no hassle and a totally transparent approach to all communications. 100% recommend buying here to anyone.

The board itself had more in the shoulders than I had expected, despite having looked at the 3d models in depth on the FW site... I was hesitant about this as I never got on with the Pyzalien (personally) and that shares some similar characteristics of having width under the chest and a pulled in tail.

While the Pyzalien always felt a little soft and unresponsive in anything but the most pumping conditions, the Almond Butter seems lively, snappy and eager. Gets in nice and early, but as soon as you engage the tail, it starts to properly perform in ways that are familiar to anyone whose ridden an "everyday" kind of shortboard...

This board replaces a Spitfire for me, and there's a definite feeling that it's easier to throw it on a rail than the SF - again I would guess this is because the SF has wider hips and more volume towards the back end, vs the pulled in tail on the Almond Butter. I found myself feeling the limits of the spitfire's performance on the days when the swell picked up and faces become that bit steeper. The likelihood of sliding out was increased and that in turn affects your confidence as you set up for a hack - no such issues so far with the Almond Butter which is perfect.

I'm 5'10" and about 11.5 stone (surfing 20 years now) - Plenty of float in the 5'8" for me (32.3 litres), I bought this board for the average days with a baked potato in the car for grovelling (37 litres), and a Vanguard for when it's properly pumping (28.8 litres). If I didn't have the Vanguard I might have gone a little smaller on the Almond Butter (5'6"?) but with my current quiver I reckon it's going to fit in perfectly as my go-to board for the majority of sessions.

Cannot wait for the opportunity to take it out in more consistent conditions to see how it goes on a steeper face... Stoked!

It's not a problem, all purchases on Boardshop.co.uk are covered by a 14 day exchange or refund guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase it can be exchanged or the cost of the item(s) refunded. In case of all returns you will need to contact us for a returns number.